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Disney Cruise Line announced their winter 2020 sailings today during a #DisneyParksLIVE event streamed on YouTube. The big reveal is that the Disney Wonder will repositioning from Galveston to sail a series of cruises from New Orleans with Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries. Before New Orleans, the Wonder will return to San Juan for Southern Caribbean sailings. The Wonder will embark on the 2020 Westbound Pananma Canal cruise from New Orleans and resume Baja and Mexican Riviera sailings from San Diego. Finally, the Wonder will head to Vancouver taking guests to Hawaii. A return one-way Hawaiian cruise will return the Wonder to Vancouver in mid-May.

The Disney Magic will continue to sail 4- and 5-night Bahamian and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami before the May 11, 2020, Eastbound Transatlantic. The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will remain at Port Canaveral. The Disney Dream will continue sailing alternating 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises on Fridays and Mondays. The Disney Fantasy will stick with the alternating 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Today’s release extended the available sail dates through mid-2020. These new sail dates will allow guest to plan vacations more than one year out, as well as take advantage of opening day pricing for some of the new itineraries.

Although the dates were announced today, general booking will not open until Thursday October 4th. However, there will be a tiered booking period beginning Monday October 1st.

Wednesday October 3rd – Silver Castaway Club members & DVC members who have not previously sailed with DCL

Thursday October 4th, first time cruisers will be able to book.

As was the case with the last itinerary release, Castaway Club members can book online beginning Monday! The only caveat is that this is for new bookings only as the website is not set up to move a placeholder to a new sail date. Those types of bookings will still require a phone call.

The following bears repeating, please do NOT try calling today to book; this will just clog up the phone lines and bog down the reservation cast members. There may be people attempting to book an available cruise vacation today.

The video above was from the DisneyParks Youtube Channel, but has been set to unavailable. Below is an archived copy of the announcement.

Disney Magic Winter 2020 Sailings

The Disney Magic will continue to sail 4- and 5-night Bahamian as well as 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami leading up to the a probable May 11, 2020 Eastbound Transatlantic cruise.

Disney Wonder Winter 2020 Sailings

The Disney Wonder will will reposition from Galveston to San Juan for a series of Southern Caribbean cruises. The Wonder will then reposition to the new homeport of New Orleans to sail a series of Western Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from before reposting to the west coast for San Diego via the Panama Canal. Once in San Diego, the Disney Wonder will sail a mix of Baja and Mexican Riviera itineraries. Then, the Wonder will reposition to Vancouver and sail two one way Hawaiian cruises. This will bring the estimates start of the Alaskan season to begin May 18, 2020.

Disney Dream Winter 2020 Sailings

The Disney Dream will continue sailing alternating 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises on Fridays and Mondays from Port Canaveral. With this itinerary release, the Disney Dream will continue the rotation on Friday January 3, 2020 with a 3-Night Bahamian cruise.

Disney Fantasy Winter 2020 Sailings

The Disney Fantasy will maintain the alternating 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral with Saturday departures. The Disney Fantasy will continue the rotation on Saturday January 4, 2020 with a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise.

Full Disney Cruise Line Press Release

Below is the copy of the press release issued along with the new sail dates.

Itinerary highlights include return to Hawaii and other popular destinations

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2018) – In early 2020, Disney Cruise Line will offer families even more ways to explore the world together with the addition of a brand-new home port in New Orleans and a highly anticipated return to the Hawaiian Islands. Disney Cruise Line will also return to Puerto Rico for a limited time and continue guest-favorite itineraries to tropical destinations from Florida and California.

Bookings open to the public on Oct. 4, 2018. More details on 2020 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2020 page of disneycruise.com.

First-time Home Port in New Orleans

In 2020, the Disney Wonder will embark on a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from New Orleans – the first time Disney Cruise Line will have a home port in Louisiana. Not only will this provide families from the region with the magic of having a Disney ship in their own backyard, but it will also draw families from farther away to discover this incredible city before they set sail.

Before or after their Disney cruise, guests can venture into the city to savor the distinct flavors of famous New Orleans cuisine, visit family-friendly museums and parks, and revel in the sweet melodies of world-renowned jazz music. Travelers will delight in the Southern charm of this new home port, and Disney fans will find magic around every corner as they recognize the iconic sights and sounds that inspired the beloved animated film “The Princess and the Frog.”

The Disney Wonder will embark on six cruises during this limited-time season from New Orleans, including four-, six- and seven-night Western Caribbean sailings; a seven-night Bahamian cruise; and a 14-night Panama Canal voyage, departing Feb. 7 through March 6.

Long-Awaited Return to Hawaii

After a five-year hiatus, the Disney Wonder will return to Hawaii in early 2020 for two special cruises: a nine-night voyage to Honolulu from Vancouver, Canada, on April 29, and a 10-night sailing back to Vancouver on May 8.

During these dream vacations, guests will discover the breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, including the famous beaches of Waikiki on Oahu; the views from high atop the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui; the lush tropical gardens and waterfalls of Kauai; and the diverse natural wonders of Hawaii Island.

Popular Itineraries from Puerto Rico and California

The Disney Wonder continues its standout season with returns to popular home ports on both coasts. First, the ship sets sail for the Southern Caribbean during two seven-night voyages departing Jan. 19 and 26 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed by a five-night Bahamian cruise. Then beginning on March 20, the ship embarks on seven sailings to Baja and the Mexican Riviera, ranging in length from two to seven nights, from San Diego, California.

Unforgettable Tropical Getaways from Florida

Disney Cruise Line will have three ships sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida in early 2020, and every cruise includes a day of fun in the sun on Disney’s private Bahamian island reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, Castaway Cay.

From Miami, the Disney Magic will sail three-, four- and five-night Bahamian cruises and five-night Western Caribbean cruises.

From Port Canaveral, the Disney Fantasy will sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, plus two special sailings at six- and eight-nights each.

From Port Canaveral, the Disney Dream will sail three- and four-night Bahamian cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

With a variety of options from Florida, guests can choose the vacation that provides something for everyone in the family, combining the adventure and relaxation of tropical destinations, the ease and indulgence of an ocean cruise, and the world-class entertainment and service of a Disney vacation.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.

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The Caribbean

Whether you’re looking for a short escape or a substantial weeklong vacation at sea, our 2020 Caribbean lineup has you covered!

Western Caribbean

2020 Disney Wonder 4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans: 2/27 and 3/2

Day 1: New Orleans, Louisiana
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: New Orleans, Louisiana

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Day 5: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 8: Port Canaveral, Florida

Day 1: Port Canaveral, Florida
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Basseterre, St. Kitts
Day 5: St. John’s, Antigua
Day 6: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Disney Castaway Cay
Day 9: Port Canaveral, Florida

Day 1: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Day 2: St. John’s, Antigua
Day 3: Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
Day 4: Fort-de-France, Martinique
Day 5: Bridgetown, Barbados
Day 6: Castries, St. Lucia
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Hawai’i

Get ready to discover some of Hawaii’s best-kept secrets when you cast off on a 9- or 10-night journey to a series of alluring locales. Five days at sea will also grant you ample time to experience the first-rate, onboard amenities your cruise ship has to offer.

Day 1: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: Nawiliwili, Hawai’i
Day 8: Kahului, Hawai’i
Day 9: Hilo, Hawai’i
Day 10: Honolulu, Hawai’i

Day 1: Honolulu, Hawai’i
Day 2: Hilo, Hawai’i
Day 3: Nawiliwili, Hawai’i
Day 4: Nawiliwili, Hawai’i
Day 5: Kahului, Hawai’i
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: At Sea
Day 10: At Sea
Day 11: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

The Bahamas

Jump-start your tropical Bahamian getaway from Port Canaveral, Miami, San Juan or—for the first time ever—New Orleans. Select itineraries will whisk you off to a variety of idyllic destinations, including Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Day 1: San Diego, California
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Day 4: Mazatlán, Mexico
Day 5: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Day 6: At Sea
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: San Diego, California

Pacific Coast

Soak up the sights and sounds of California before making your way to Canada, where you’ll encounter a nice blend of outdoor and cosmopolitan adventures in the maritime cities of Victoria and Vancouver.

Day 1: San Diego, California
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: San Francisco, California
Day 4: At Sea
Day 5: Victoria (British Columbia), Canada
Day 6: Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

Panama Canal

Explore the charms of New Orleans before you embark on this 14-night cruise to San Diego. You’ll pass through the famous Panama Canal and enjoy plenty of sightseeing in exotic locations throughout Mexico and beyond.

Day 1: New Orleans, Louisiana
Day 2: At Sea
Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico
Day 4: George Town, Grand Cayman
Day 5: At Sea
Day 6: Cartagena, Colombia
Day 7: Panama Canal
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: At Sea
Day 10: At Sea
Day 11: At Sea
Day 12: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Day 13: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Day 14: At Sea

What do you think of the new ports and itineraries? Which itinerary do you want to book?

It is exciting that DCL is cruising out of New Orleans but I wish it was the Magic instead of the Wonder. If I’m going to fly somewhere for a cruise, I want it to be on a different ship, not the same one I’ve been sailing on out of San Diego. I can’t keep seeing all the same shows! Do you think they will announce which cruises are going to be MDAS? That’s the one I’m actually wanting to book for Jan 2020. Should I assume it will be the same sailings as 2019? Thank you Scott for making it so easy for me to just come to one place to get all the info! I sure love your site and appreciate everything you post.

I agree. I would love for them to flip the Wonder and Magic for a change. I’m cruising on the Magic out of Miami and would love to have a different option the following year. Scott, what is your thinking about why the Magic does the Transatlantic/Europe gig and the Wonder continues to do the Alaska/West coast gig?

Hopefully, Disney is not leaving Galveston, because this now makes people in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio practically out of driving distance as compared to Galveston. Even driving from the city of Houston will be about a 6-hour drive which is the closest major city.

As a resident of South Mississippi and a Platinum cruiser, DCL made one of my greatest wishes come true today! I am beyond thrilled. DH has been wanting to go to Key West forever, so that looks like the one for us!

Denise,
Here is a look at the historical release schedule. I am not sure if this early release signals a change in the overall pattern or not. Still, I do not expect the Summer release until early next year.

I don’t think it is that much of a departure from previous years, if you look at the 2015 release date. In 2015 booking began on the first Thursday in October for the general public. With the new schedule of releasing the week before booking begins, they seem to have moved the release earlier, but kept the booking week. So, booking for the general public again begins on the first Thursday in October.
Also, I think both 2016 (Matthew) and 2017 (Irma, Maria) had hurricanes in that September, early October time frame and that might have delayed an otherwise planned earlier release? Pure speculation, but it is interesting that 2018 with no hurricane went back to the same time frame as 2015.

Christopher,
I generate at base map using open source QGIS mapping software. I use Photoshop to add the itinerary lines and the ships to indicate sea days. Arrows are used on some maps to indicate travel direction when there is no sea day.

Would you really want to b2b for this one? We did the inaugural Hawaiian cruise (roundtrip back then) and with all of the sea days it seemed very long. They had plenty of Hawaiian-themed activities on the way to Hawaii (lei making, Hawaiian language class, star gazing), but little to do for the adults on the way back. We were painting many animation cels and making a lot of Flubber!

Hawaii itineraries were sold out before it reached Silver. I keep checking and have only seen 1 room come up for Hawaii to Vancouver but it wasn’t big enough for my family of 4. What do you think the chances are of cancellations and getting a stateroom on sold out cruises? Should I just accept defeat?

My wife and I were really lucky to get a Hawaiian itinerary (booked online as Silver members from the airport as we made our way to Orlando for our 7-Night Eastern Caribbean sailing on the Fantasy); we were hoping for the (slightly cheaper) Oceanview 09B GTY room, but wound up getting a (slightly pricier) 09A.

No matter what, though, we’re really excited to be going to Hawaii in 2020! It’ll be our third cruise, second time sailing on the Wonder.

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